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STEM Tuesday
  • cover image for "Counting in Dog Years"
    STEM Tuesday– Award-winning STEM/STEAM Books– Book List
    December 5, 2023 by
    As the year comes to a close, we wanted to celebrate some of the incredible STEM books that have been published in the past few years. All of the books in this month’s list have been recognized through state or national-level awards. We know you’ll love them, too!  Amazing Allies: 15 Amazing Women in Wildlife Research by Elizabeth Pagel-Hogan (NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students, Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection Award) This book chronicles 15 remarkable women who work in the field of wildlife research. They’re pioneers and work tirelessly on issues that intersect with biodiversity, species conservation, biology, and more. Some of the female scientists featured include Corina Newsome, who saves seaside sparrows, and Michelle LaRue, who uses satellites to study Antarctic birds. It Takes Guts: How Your Body Turns Food Into Fuel (and Poop) written by Dr. Jennifer Gard, illustrated by Belle Wuthrich (AAAS/Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science) Based on the basic premise that everyone...
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  • Ice Age by Cindy Blobaum
    STEM Tuesday: Snow and Ice– Interview with Author Cindy Blobaum
    November 28, 2023 by
        We are delighted to interview author Cindy Blobaum for our Ice and Snow theme this month! Cindy is the author of:   Explore the Ice Age! With 25 Great Projects By Cindy Blobaum Illustrated by Bryan Stone Brrr–does it feel cold? Get out your gloves and get ready to experience the Ice Age! In Explore the Ice Age! With 25 Great Projects, readers ages 7 to 10 discover what an ice age consists of, why we have them, and what effect an ice age has on living organisms and ecosystems. The book pays particular attention to the most recent Ice Age, which is the only one humans were around to witness.                     Cindy digging up a mammoth bone, and then holding one!      Cindy, thanks for being on our blog. How fun was it to write a book about the Ice Age? ...
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  • STEM Tuesday:  Snow and Ice-- Writing Tips & Resources
    STEM Tuesday: Snow and Ice– Writing Tips & Resources
    November 21, 2023 by
      Accordions and Information The five-paragraph essay. Love it or hate it, it’s a thing. One of the reasons it is so hard to teach? Young writers rarely see pure examples in their pleasure reading. Still, this formulaic approach can help young writers learn to organize their thinking and writing. So, how do we teach them to use this tool? Step By Step My favorite is the accordion method. Start by printing each of the sentences below on a separate sheet of colored paper. Green paper: Bugs have wicked cool mouthparts. These mouthparts allow insects to chow down on their favorite food. Yellow paper: Some bugs have hypodermic needles for mouths. A few insects use sponges for mouths. And, others have strong grinding jaws. Post those in random order on the board or wall. Challenge students to physically re-arrange them into a logical paragraph. This can be done together on...
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  • STEM Tuesday:  Snow and Ice-- In the Classroom
    STEM Tuesday: Snow and Ice– In the Classroom
    November 14, 2023 by
    What can we learn by studying ice and snow? From chemistry to poetry, try these classroom activities to get your students excited about the cold!   Mission: Arctic: A Scientific Adventure to a Changing North Pole by Katharina Weiss-Tuider and Christian Schneider   Until now, the world of the Arctic was a mystery. This guide follows the 2019 MOSAiC expedition whose mission was to let their vessel freeze in the sea ice and drift to the north pole. Why? To study how the Arctic is changing. Featuring photographs, facts, diagrams and more; the thrilling world of the Arctic will come alive as readers discover its secrets.   Student Activity The MOSAic expedition site has a whole list of educational activities for elementary to high school students. They can learn more about the Arctic ecosystem, make ice cores, and much more. Find the entire list here: https://mosaic.colorado.edu/activities. Also check out educational...
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Contributors

Photo of Kirsten W. Larson

Kirsten W. Larson

Website: kirsten-w-larson.com

Biography

Kirsten W. Larson used to work with rocket scientists at NASA. Now she writes about both science and history for kids. She is the author of 25 nonfiction books, including the Robotics in Our World series (Amicus). Calkins Creek will publish her debut picture book, WOOD, WIRE, WINGS: Emma Lilian Todd Invents an Airplane (illus. by Tracy Subisak) in 2020. Originally from Virginia, Kirsten lives near Los Angeles. Find her at kirsten-w-larson.com or on Twitter and Instagram @KirstenWLarson.